Thodupuzha: The Kerala revenue department has reported to the government that Tom Zachariah, the controversial evangelist, and his family have carried out the biggest land-grab in Idukki district, with 500 acres in their grip.
The family, which grabbed government land in Papathichola, Chinnakanal, had raised a huge cross there, the removal of which sparked a row.
Tom Zachariah is the founder of Spirit in Jesus, a Thrissur-based Christian sect.
Read: What is Spirit in Jesus? Why is it hooked to Pappathichola hill?
Five collectors turned a blind eye towards land grab at Pappathichola
Tom Zachariah formed an encroachment mafia, says chief of earlier eviction drive
The tehsildar of Udumbanchola says in his report that Vellukunnel Zachariah and his relatives from Suryanelli in the district encroached upon 500 acres of government-owned land. His report was handed over to the district collector on June 26, 2014.
The report also says Zachariah and 14 family members were involved in the encroachment in Chinnakanal village. The land has been documented in the names of Zachariah's father Zachariah Joseph, and brothers Boby Zachariah, Jimmy Zachariah and Jiji Zachariah.
The tehsildar also says there is reason to suspect that land allotted to Adivasis was grabbed and secured with electric fencing. The report points out that the land revenue commissioner had confirmed that the land on which Jiji Zachariah's resort is located was seized using fake documents.
The Vellukunnel family was served with a notice in 2008, asking them to furnish documents of the property they keep, but they never bothered to respond.